What does the term carrying capacity refer to?

Carrying capacity refers to the maximum population size that an environment can support sustainably over time, given the available resources such as food, habitat, water, and other essentials. This concept is crucial in understanding population dynamics within ecology, as it helps explain fluctuations in species populations due to resource availability. When a population exceeds its carrying capacity, it may lead to resource depletion, resulting in competition, increased mortality rates, and a decline in population numbers. This balance between population size and available resources is fundamental to the health of ecosystems and the survival of species within them.